Chateau Ausone   Chapelle dAusone

2011 Chapelle d'Ausone

By Chateau Ausone

2011 Chapelle d’Ausone, Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France

Gracing the discerning palates with its Bordeaux elegance, the 2011 vintage from Château Ausone does not merely whisper but resonates its nobility. The 2011 Chapelle d’Ausone, a second wine that embodies the steadfast commitment of its esteemed producer to quality, invites connoisseurs and investors to delve into a tapestry woven with the ripe fruit of an earnest season.

 

Elegance Underlined by Time's Hand

In 2011, Saint-Émilion – a region often caressed by mischievous climatic fingers – presented a challenging year where precision in timing was indispensable. The harvest yielded berries that were an odyssey of flavour. Their journey, treasured within the bottles of 2011 Chapelle d’Ausone, now offers an interplay of mature tannins and a more mellowed power, uncharacteristic of the usual youthful might associated with Château Ausone's celebrated legacy.

 

A Vintage That Offers More than Meets the Eye

The 2011 Chapelle d’Ausone, still holding court with firm structure, unfolds a bouquet that mingles plums, blackberries, and an intriguing whisper of graphite – a token from its limestone terroir. Subtle hints of oak nestle within, a testament to its meticulous aging. On the palate, one can discern a balance; the audacity of cassis and delicate dark cherry notes dance amidst tobacco undertones in a sophisticated reel.

A knowledgeable investment mind might note that while powerful vintages typically command attention in Bordeaux’s theatre, those such as 2011 bring nuance to one's portfolio. This wine thus evolves unwaveringly in complexity and grace – attributes highly respected by seasoned investors looking to diversify with poise.

Indeed, the nature-derived restraint evident in the 2011 Chapelle d’Ausone facilitates a unique storytelling through each sip, chronicling a year when both vine and vintner were tested. With cellaring potential tracing into the late 2020s and beyond, one would do well to keep their cellars accented with this thoughtful vintage from Château Ausone – an articulate expression amidst Bordeaux’s choral array.

Market price (GBP)

£1,200.00

12x75cl

Highest score

93

POP score

92.31

Scores and tasting notes

93

Wonderful aromas of dried berry and light black truffle. Full body, intense tannins and a long, flavorful finish. This shows backbone and depth. A blend of 60% merlot, 30% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon. Second wine of Ausone. Try in 2020.

James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, February 19th 2014

91-94

The 2011 Chapelle d'Ausone offers a dense opaque purple color as well as striking floral notes intermixed with notions of blackberries and blueberries. It possesses full-bodied richness, good minerality, terrific palate-penetrating characteristics and an unreal finish. It, too, is one of the top wines of the vintage, and it should be drinkable at an earlier date than its bigger sibling.

Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #200

90-92

The Chapelle d'Ausone has an intense bouquet with vibrant, slightly dusty black fruit that are very well defined and develop intriguing earthy, almost graphite aromas with aeration. Leaving it in my glass over five minute is offers some gorgeous, yet subtle floral notes. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and a degree of composure and refinement. One feels that they could have easily tried to extract more from this wine but resisted temptation and consequently produced a better wine. Everything in its right place. Tasted April 2012.

Neal Martin - Wine Journal May 2012

91

The beautiful second wine is Alain Vauthier’s 2011 La Chapelle d’Ausone. It possesses a dense ruby/purple color along with the nobility, class, finesse, precision, purity and copious blue and black fruits intermixed with a floral component, good minerality, and a medium-bodied, intense, rich personality. Never heavy or over-bearing, this is a beauty. As I have written many times in the past, the Vauthiers are making a “second wine” that is greater than many of the outstanding wines produced at this estate in the 20th century. This wine should drink well for 15 or more years.

Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 29 April 2014

Vintage performance